Nebraska Fall Camp Preview: Offensive Line

On3 imageby:Abby Barmore07/10/23

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Matt Rhule’s first fall camp at Nebraska is right around the corner. The HuskerOnline team dives into what to expect from the Huskers with our position-by-position fall camp previews.

Next in the series is Nebraska’s offensive line, an experienced, versatile group with much to prove.

Related: QB | RB | WR | TE |

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What we know right now: Nebraska’s O-line has lots of experience and potential

The Huskers have a very experienced group going into the 2023 season. With experience comes potential and the possibility of improving. However, Nebraska’s offensive line has much to prove in Rhule’s first season and O-line coach Donovan Raiola‘s second season.

Nebraska has three players who have started at tackle and have 58 starts between them. Juniors TurnerCorcoran and Bryce Benhart have been the Huskers starting tackles for the last two seasons.

Sophomore Teddy Prochazka started at left tackle and for the first three games of the 2022 season before Prochazka suffered a season-ending injury. Corcoran slid over to left guard with Prochazka at left tackle.

As for guard, it’s possible that Corcoran plays there if Prochazka and Benhart are healthy and available. Senior Nouredin Nouili is back after his NCAA suspension and junior Ethan Piper is another option inside. He said he can play any of the three interior line positions but has started 18 games at left guard.

Sophomore Henry Lutovsky started two games in 2022 at right tackle. He played in all 12 games for a total of 281 snaps.

Nebraska added Arizona State transfer Ben Scott who can play anywhere on the line but will mostly be the Huskers’ center. Scott started 16 games at right tackle for the Sun Devils from 2020-2021. We switched to center in 2022 and started 11 games under center.

Justin Evans-Jenkins is another option at center behind Scott and Piper.

Most of the Huskers’ offensive linemen can play multiple positions. Raiola will likely shuffle the players around to find the best combination or if someone is injured.

Key stats and numbers from 2022:

Player2022 Snap Count
Turner Corcoran739
Bryce Benhart643
Ethan Piper292
Trent Hixson*783
Teddy Prochazka212
Broc Bando*501
Brant Banks*52
Henry Lutovsky281
Hunter Anthony*157
Kevin Williams Jr.*45
* – no longer at Nebraska
PlayerSacksQB hitsHurriesPenalties
Turner Corcoran47336
Bryce Benhart41224
Ethan Piper05120
Trent Hixson*0266
Teddy Prochazka21110
Broc Bando*22111
Brant Banks*0000
Henry Lutovsky42110
Hunter Anthony*11112
Kevin Williams Jr.*0000
* – no longer at Nebraska

Predicting every Nebraska freshman’s role in 2023

Biggest Question: Where does Turner Corcoran land?

Nebraska’s offensive line has many players who can play at multiple positions. Turner Corcoran is a great example as the Huskers might plug him in any position to get him on the field.

Raiola and the Huskers are aiming to get the best five players on the field and Corcoran is one of the many pieces that is very versatile.

There are several circumstances that will impact Corcoran’s position. For example, if Teddy Prochazka wins the left tackle position after returning from back-to-back season-ending injuries, Corcoran bounce from position to position. He could also play at right tackle if Bryce Benhart isn’t named the starter. However that seems likely at this point.

If both tackle jobs are locked down he could play at either guard depending on the battle on the interior. Nouredin Nouili seems like the top candidate for left guard while Henry Lutovsky behind him.

Depending on the dominos, Piper and Corcoran might have to battle it out for right guard. Corcoran seems to have the edge over Piper.

As of now, Corcoran’s experience and the staff’s compliments put him in the top five group on the field. It’s just a matter of how each position shakes out.

Clearly, who plays what position is a complicated conversation heading into Nebraska’s fall camp. The depth chart below reflects that with many battles and options represented.

Projected Fall Camp OL Depth Chart:

LT:
Teddy Prochazka, So.
-OR-
Turner Corcoran, Jr.
LG:
Nouredin Nouili, Sr.
-OR-
Henry Lutovsky, So.
C:
1. Ben Scott, Jr.
2. Ethan Piper, Jr.
3. Justin Evans-Jenkins, RFr.
RG:
Ethan Piper, Jr.
-OR-
Henry Lutovsky, So.
RT:
1. Bryce Benhart, Jr.
-OR-
Turner Corcoran, Jr.
2. Tyler Knaak, RFr.

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